Johor journey businesses say Singapore VEP rejections lower revenue by half, depart unlawful operators to fill hole

JOHOR BAHRU, Aug 22 — More than 400 Johor-based journey businesses claimed that enterprise has been affected after Singapore authorities denied their Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) purposes for the previous two years, affectively barring the licensed tour autos from coming into the republic.

The group, represented by Khairul Anuar Mokhtar, claimed that as a result of restriction that began in 2023, their premium passenger autos and in addition Tourism Malaysia’s Hire & Drive licensed autos have misplaced as much as 50 per cent of revenue as they’re unable to enter Singapore.

“The travel agencies vehicles, consisting of several premium multi-purpose vehicles (MPV) such as Toyota Alphard, Toyota Vellfire, Hyundai Staria and Hyundai Starex, have had their VEP applications rejected,” he instructed reporters right here.

“In addition, Tourism Malaysia’s Hire & Drive vehicles that meet safety standards equivalent to Singapore’s, including having to undergo inspections every six months, requiring passenger insurance and validated drivers with Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licences and official permits under the Transport Ministry and the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry are also affected.

“As a result of the restriction, this void is now filled by private vehicles operating illegally that enter Singapore and cater to tourists from both countries,” he added.

He was accompanied by 30 representatives of Johor-based travel agencies that claim that their business has been affected by the move by Singapore authorities.

Khairul Anuar said that the current situation, where private vehicles operate illegally, gives a bad name to legitimate travel agencies and affects the image of tourism in Johor.

He added that their pool of drivers even have an Asean PSV, but is restricted as it only allows them to operate sightseeing buses where passengers have to follow the bus route that has a long queue and separate immigration checks.

“Our services are usually used by elderly passengers and those who are disabled, in addition to corporate clients who want to enter Singapore without much immigration hassle.

“The problem is that the four premium vehicles are usually the top choice of tourists from Singapore to Johor, but are not allowed to operate due to the lack of a VEP,” he stated.

This comeas as they stated a complete of 119 premium autos have been seized by Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) for allegedly working illegally.

Ahmad Khaizurin stated the affected events have proposed a doable resolution that features a correct cross-border cooperation by permitting Singapore’s Private Hire Vehicle and Malaysia’s Hire & Drive autos to be given a particular point-to-point allow for the Singapore-Malaysia cross-border travels.

In Malaysia and Singapore, personal autos providing cross-border passenger transport companies, even underneath e-hailing platforms, are unlawful — main latest crackdowns on either side.

Earlier this week. Transport Minister Anthony Loke stated his ministry is in precept prepared to debate with Singapore the implementation of cross-border e-hailing between Johor and the republic.

He stated the matter had been raised with Singapore’s former Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat, however the republic was not prepared to debate the proposal at the moment.